FOFANA FUL Loan star at double to bag OF IT
AS loan debuts go, David Fofana’s explosive two-goal arrival at Burnley must surely be up there with the best in Premier League history.
Trailing 2-0 to a slick Fulham side, Vincent Fulham’s for the taking as they looked for Kompany’s stars were facing a disastrous their first win at Turf Moor since 1951. 17th Premier League defeat of the campaign. The last time Burnley were in the top
But Fofana’s 63rd-minute introduction division they could boast England from the bench turned despair into delirium internationals James Tarkowski and Nick at Turf Moor as the striker, 21, grabbed a Pope as well as experienced centre-back Ben double to earn Burnley a priceless point in Mee in their defensive ranks. their relegation fight. Now they have a rookie
MATCH STATS The youngster, on loan keeper in James Trafford, from Chelsea, spectacularly surrounded by defenders showcased his talent by struggling to contain scoring his first-ever Premier opponents who sense easy League goals. pickings.
Fofana threw Burnley a So it was a familiar lifeline, pulling one back scenario that unfolded at eight minutes after coming Turf Moor as Burnley found on with a fine header. themselves 2-0 down inside
The striker then sent the 21 minutes. stadium into raptures with a The frailties which have 91st-minute equaliser as he dogged Kompany, a bundled home a cross by defensive powerhouse in his Wilson Odobert. playing days at Manchester
It was an unlikely end to a City, left him cursing again as game that seemed to be the Clarets capitulated at a 17th–minute set-piece. Andreas Pereira swung in a teasing corner to the near post and Joao Palhinha flicked a header past Trafford to put Marco Silva’s men ahead.
Burnley needed a period of calm to regain a foothold in the game but less than five minutes later Fulham doubled their lead with another calamitous show of defensive naivety.
After losing possession from their own throw-in, they were quickly undone by an acrobatic punt from Antonee Robinson.
Brazilian striker Rodrigo Muniz, replacing
the injured Raul Jimenez and with deadline day Chelsea loan signing Armando Broja watching from the bench, was alive to the situation.
He sprinted ahead of Hjalmar Ekdal and expertly lobbed Trafford.
It gave Burnley a mountain to climb but they dug in and showed character that pleased Kompany against a Fulham side with the creativity to punish them further.
Burnley stayed in the contest after the break. Then came Fofana’s bow – and the possibility the season may yet have a happy ending for Kompany and Burnley.